Mares is also accused of assault for allegedly shooting Salgado’s nephew, Steven Ortega, 20, who is recovering

from his chest injury. Mares will remain in Weld County Jail.

Before Gutierrez reached his decision, his courtroom was filled with emotional pleas to keep Mares off the streets.

Recommended Stories For You

“My family has suffered a lot,” said Misty Martinez, Salgado’s niece and Ortega’s cousin. “He can go on; he can see his kids,” she said, looking at Mares and beginning to cry. “He can live his life. We can see Steven, but we can’t see Gabriel.”

She said Mares could eventually move on and forget about the alleged incident.

“But we can’t. We can’t forget about what has happened to us,” she said, shaking with grief.

Other family members wept quietly as they huddled together on the courtroom’s back benches. Members of Mares’ family were also present, but they did not address the judge and quickly left the room after Mares was taken away by Weld sheriff’s deputies.

Mares’ defense attorney, John Briggs, told Gutierrez that there’s more to the case than meets the eye. He disputed the Salgado family’s claim that Gabriel was not in a gang.

Police initially said the shooting was gang-related. All court warrants and affidavits have been sealed to protect witnesses.

Briggs said Salgado had a rifle with him and that he was a known northside gang member hanging out in the south side of town.

“It looks like more is going on than what’s described in the letters: That Mr. Mares is a monster who is out hunting non-gang members,” Briggs said.

Salgado’s supporters vehemently disputed his alleged gang membership.

“I’ve never known (the Salgado family) to be in any gangs or gang activity,” said Leroy Duran, who described himself as a family friend for 40 years.